DEFENSE and free throw shooting.
Its two concerns Blackwater tried to work on during the long break prior to resuming its campaign in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Troy Rosario identified missed free throws and missed defensive plays as the culprits in the Bossing's back-to-back losses prior to the All-Star break.
"We're good for 40 minutes pero hindi namin natatapos yung 48 minutes on good defense, hindi namin nai-execute yung offense namin, including free throws," said the 32-year-old Rosario, acknowledged as the main man of the team.
After winning their first three outings, the Bossing lost two in a row against NLEX and Terrafirma after missing crucial free throws and missing out on defensive plays in the endgame.
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Rey Suerte botched a couple of foul shots in the team's 103-97 loss to the Road Warriors, while Rey Nambatac could only split his free throws that paved the way for the Dyip to hack out a 92-91 come-from-behind win.
"Actually, pina-practice nga talaga namin yung free throws ng team. Unusual talaga para sa isang pro team na pina-practice pa yung free throws," said Rosario of Blackwater's effort to improve its shooting from the foul line.
And then there's defense.
"More than the free throws, yung depensa din namin sa endgame (ang naging problema)," Rosario added. "Last time hindi rin namin na-contain si (Robert) Bolick, and then later, si Juami (Tiongson)."
Bolick finished with 21 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists against the Bossing, and hit back-to-back three-pointers in the last 47 seconds that took the fight out of Blackwater.
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Tiongson meanwhile, hit for 20 points in the win over the Bossing, including a pressure-packed trey with 12 seconds remaining which proved to be the game-winning basket.
"Hopefully, may natutunan kami sa mga games na ito para pag nangyari ulit, at least alam na namin ang gagawin," said Rosario. (RG)
